28 MIDDLE-STZF.D PREFERABLE. 



nials of that description are strongest, and best 

 able to endure fatigue. In the height, as well 

 as the colour of hounds, most sportsmen have 

 their prejudices ; but in their shape at least, I 

 think they must all agree. I know sportsmen, 

 who boldly affirm, that a small hound will often- 

 times beat a large one ; that he will climb hills 

 better, and go through cover quicker ; — whilst 

 others are not less ready to assert, that a large 

 hound will make his way in any country, will 

 get better through the dirt, than a small one; 

 and that no fence, however high, can stop him. 

 You have now three opinions ; and T advise 

 you to adopt that which suits your country best: 

 there is, however, a certain size, best adapted 

 for business, which I take to be that between 

 the two extremes ; and I will venture to say, 

 that such hounds will not suffer themselves to 

 be disgraced in any country. Somervile, I find, 

 is of the same opinion. 



" But here a mean 

 Observe, nor the large hound prefer, of size 

 " Gigantic ; he in the thick-woven covert 

 Painfully tugs, or in the tliorny brake 

 Torn and embarrassVl bleeds ; but if too small, 

 The pigmy brood in every furrow swims ; 

 Moil'd in the clogging clay, panting they lag 

 Behind inglorious ; or else shivering creep 



